Knitting machine



Dem 1965 v. H. BUTLER 3,

I KNITTING MACHINE Filed Juhe 22, 1956 e Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR VAUGH N H. BUTLER ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 v. H. BUTLER [KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1956 o o o 34 "Maw,

16 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR VAUGHN H. BUTLER ATTORNEYS V. H. BUTLER KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 22, '1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR VAUGH N H. BUTLER awdaauq ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 7, 1965 J 6 Sheets-Sheet 4' Filed June 22, 1956 x l| lumuummm,

' INVENTOR VAU GHN H. BU TLE R v ATTORNEYS V. H- BUTLER KNITTING MACHINE Dec. 7, 1965 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 22, 1956 INVENTOR VAUGHN H. BUTLER BYMMW/ ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 -v. H. BUTLER 3,221,517

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 F166. I"'IG'..9.

I INVENTOR VAUGH N H. BUTLER BYZWW,

ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 v BUTLER I 3,221,517

KNITTING mcamm Filed June 22, 1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 mvsmoa I VAUGHN H. BUTLER ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 v, BUTLER 3,221,517

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIGJb'.

JV IIIIIH 90 L 11 111111! J INVENTOR VAUGHN H. BUTLER ATTORNEYS V. H. BUTLER KNITTING MACHINE Dec. 7, 1965 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June 22, 1956 FIG. 12

INVENTOR FIGJ8.

VAUGHN H. BUTLER BYMMw ATTORNEYS V.. H. BUTLER KNITTING MACHINE Dec. 7, 1965 Filed June 22, 1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 1O INVENTOR 4 VAUGHN H.BUTLER- BYWfQMKMmd ATTORNEYS FIG. 20.

Dec. 7, 1965' v. H. BUTLER 3,221,517

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 FIGZZ.

W Ow) VAUGHN H. BUTLER ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 v, H. BU E 3,221,517

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR VAUGHN H. BUTLER BY KM,

ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 v. H. BUTLER 3,221,517

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTOR VAUGHN H. BUTL ER B ZWQM%I M ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 v. H. BUTLER KNITTING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 14.

File d June 22, 1956 FIG. 22*

INVENTOR VAUGHN H. BUTLER alwaw pm ffmwu ATTORNEYS V. H. BUTLER KNITTING MACHINE Dec. 7, 1965 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed June 22, 1956 FIG. 30.

INVENTOR VAUGHN H. BUTLER BYMW ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 v, BUTLER 3,221,517

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1956 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 lm lqglmfiii: "Hil c f 1' a 1 INVEN TOR.

VAUGHN H. BUTLER This invention relates to circular knitting machines, and in particular to an improved two-feed knitting ma-= chine, to novel methods involved in its operation, and to an improved stocking resulting therefrom.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved two-feed knitting machine of outstanding versatility, adapted to knit single feed or double feed, and to knit plain or mesh patterns in either stretch or nonstretch stockings. A related object is to provide a high production knitting machine of simple and durable construction, and superior operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a twofeed knitting machine adapted to be constructed by minimum modification of standard and widely used existing single feed machines, such as Scott and Williams Models K and KN.

A further object is to provide simple and effective eyelet'closing means,'utilizing needle cams to divide the needles for such purpose. A related object is the provision of an auxiliary cam assembly including a stitch cam having a unique sloped step therein. Another related object is the provision of a novel delayed action yarn shear actuating device.

Still another object is the provision in a circular knitting machine of a spacesaving cam assembly, which includes gusset raising and lowering cams and a clear cam.

Another object is the provision of a novel two-feed knitting method, wherein tuck stitches are knitted at one feed and plain stitches at another, to effect a distinctive mesh pattern in the resultant product.

Still another object isthe provision of a unique method of closing eyelets in two-feed knitting wherein an auxiliary yarn is inserted into and withdrawn from the body of a tubular article.

Yet another object is the provision of a novel, seamless stocking, the body of which is knit in a distinctive mesh pattern which is preserved across the instep. The stocking may be providrjd with a similar but contrasting pattern in the shadow welt.

Another object is the provision of a seamless stocking composed of two body yarns knitted in rotation, one of the body yarns being inserted into and withdrawn from the body of the stocking, wherein the eyelets at the points of yarn insertion and withdrawal are effectively closed by-yarn ends knitted into the fabric.

Further objects will be in part evident and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention and the novel features thereof may best be made clear by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an exem plary circular knitting machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is atop plan view, partly in section, of the machine of FIGURE 1, taken on the line 22 thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view corresponding to FIGURE 2, with the latch ring of the machine and associated elements pivoted out of the way, and with the dial removed; I

FIGURE 4 is a linear development of the cams utilized in knitting;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the cam atent 0 assembly including the gusset raising and lowering cams and a clear cam;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are top plan views of the assembly of FIGURE 5, in different operating positions;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevational view of the auxiliary 1 stitch cam assembly;

FIGURE 9 is a rear elevational view of the auxiliary I cam assembly of FIGURE 8; v FIGURE 10 is a sectional view through the cam assembly of FIGURE 8, taken onthe line lid-littberetif:

FIGURE 11 is a top plan view of the auxiliary cam assembly of FIGURE 8, shownin operative relationship with the needle cylinder and means for actuating the cam assembly;

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view, partly sectioned,

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of the sinker I cap and the auxiliary sinker cam;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the sinker cap showing details of the auxiliary sinker cam and its backing cam;

FIGURE 15 is a top plan view of the dial cap of the machine, showing the yarn clamps and shears,

FIGURE 16 is a side elevational view of the dial cap of FIGURE 15, viewed from the bottom thereof;

FIGURE 17 is a side elevational view of the dial drive;

FIGURE 18 is an elevational sectional view through the dial drive taken substantially on the line 18-18 of FIGURE 17;

FIGURE 19 is a top plan view of the latch ring of the machine, showing the auxiliary yarn fingers and actuating mechanism therefor;

FIGURE 20 is an elevational view of the latch ring of FIGURE 19, taken on the line 20-20 thereof, showing the opening for the auxiliary yarn fingers;

FIGURE 21 is a sectional elevational View taken on the line 21- 21 of FIGURE 19;

FIGURE 22 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the needle arrangement in the cylinder of the machine;

FIGURE 23 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the positional relationship of the needles to an auxiliary yarn finger;

FIGURE 24 is a diagrammatic illustration of the auxiliary racking mechanisms;

FIGURES 25 and 26 are sequential illustrations of needle separation and actuation at the auxiliary knitting station, utilized in eyelet closing on insertion of an auxiliary body yarn;

FIGURE 27 shows a preferred type of stocking produced by the machine and method of the present invention;

FIGURE 28 illustrates the mesh pattern of the body of the stocking of FIGURE 27;

FIGURES 29, 30, and 31 are fragmentary illustrations of a pattern layout chart suitable for production of the stocking of FIGURES 27 and 28, FIGURE 29 representing the layout of the fabric, FIGURE 30 representing the arrangement of the selector drum jacks, and FIGURE 31 the arrangement of the cylinder jacks; and

FIGURES 32 and 33 are respectively illustrations of the fabric where the auxiliary yarn is removed and inserted.

In the drawings, the invention is illustrated as incorporated in the welLknown Scott & Williams 400 needle Model KN machine. The upper part of the machine, as shown in FIGURE 1, includes the conventional lower bed plate 1, upper bed plate 2, side standard 3, cylinder 4, sinker cap 5, latch ring 6 and the dial drive pinion 7.

3,221,511 Patented Dec. 7, 1 965 I 3 Mounted on the lower bed plate It is the usual selector drum 8. The knitting station of the machine is unchanged, and is designated in the drawings as main knitting station M. The principal modification of the machine involves the addition of an auxiliary knitting station'designated as A.

'clear cam. This assembly, indicated generally as' in FIGURE 4, is illustrated in detail in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7. As there shown, the cam assembly includes a base block 11 having bars,12 and 13 slidably mounted there-' in. At its inner end, slide bar 12 supports the lowering cam 14, and at its outer end the slide bar carries an adjustable stop 15 cooperative with the base block 11 to adjustably limit the forward movement of the lowering cam. Slidebar 13 carries the raising cam 16 on its inner end, and its outer end is also provided with an adjustable stop 17.

A lever20 is pivotally mounted atop the base block 11, and engaged'by rigid links 21 to posts 22 and 23 extending upwardly, respectively, from the slide bars 12 and 13, whereby rotation of the lever 20 may effect differential movement of cams 14 and 16, by simultaneously advancing one slide bar and retracting the othher. In FIG- URE 6, the raising 'cam 16 is advanced to operative position, whereas in FIGURE 7 the lowering cam 14 is similarly advanced. The lever 20 may be normally disposed at a position intermediate the positions of FIGURES 6 and 7 to dispose both gusset cams in inoperative position with respect to the needle butts, as will be readily understood. The gusset cams areactuated by a rod 24, extending from the arm 25 of lever 20 to the main drum actuated bell crank levercustomarily employed for such purpose.

, below the raising cam 16. The outer end of slide bar 26 carries an adjustable stop 28 and a downwardly extending post 29, which is engaged by a tension spring 30 to a screw 31 mounted in the bottom of the base block, whereby the slide bar 26 and clear cam 27 are biased inwardly at all times. An arm of the bell crank 33 (FIG- URES 2 and 3), pivotally mounted at 34 on the upper bed plate 2 of the machine, engages the inner side of post 29, and the other arm of bell crank 33 is engaged by rod 35 to the drum actuated bell crank lever customarily utilized for clear cam actuation. The clear cam is also engaged in conventional manner to the fashion mark mechanism 36.

The space freed by consolidation of the gusset cams and clear cam into the unitary earn assembly described above is utilized as the auxiliary knitting station A. In modifying the machine to incorporate the auxiliary knitting station, see FIGUREv 4, the left hand riser cam or side cam 37 is altered by cutting oif the trailing end thereof. A slot 40 (FIGURE 4) is cut in the cam ring 41 to the left of .the modified side cam 37, and an auxiliary side cam .42 isv mounted at the left of theslot 40. The trailing surface 43 of the auxiliary-side cam 42 is inclined to.

raise a group of needle butts on the first reverse, stroke of toe knitting. In the slot 40 is mounted the auxiliary stitch cam assembly 44, which constitutes a principal feature of the invention.

The stitch cam assembly 44 is illustrated in detail in FIGURES 8, 9, 10 and 11, and comprises a base-plate 45 having guides 46 adapted to retain a T section of the slide 47 slidably mounted therebetween. A block 49 is mounted on the side of the slide 47, the block 49 having a downwardly depending tail 50 (FIGURE 9). The innet or front end of slide 47 is provided with an upwardly extending generally arcuate lug 51, on which are 1 for a purpose presently apparent.

mounted a clear cam 52 and center cam 53. A slot 54 in lug 51 carries a vertically slidable block 55 (FIGURE 10), on which is mounted auxiliary stitch cam 56 and a cooperative landing cam 57. A bracket 58 secured to the rear side of block 55 has a tail 59 overhanging the slide 47, and an adjustment screw 60 extends through the tail 59 into the slide. A spring 61 compressed be tween the slide and tail 59 urges the bracket 58 upwardly against the screw head. In this manner the block 55 is vertically adjustable with respect to the slide 47, whereby the auxiliary stitch cam 56 and its landing cam 57 may be adjusted vertically with respect to the clear cam 52 and center cam 53 of the assembly.

As an outstanding feature of the invention, the face of the auxiliary stitch cam 56 is provided with a step 63 extending thereacross, whereby the lower portion 64 thereof is recessed with respect to the upper portion 65,

The lower cam portion 64 is recessed preferably about .030 inch with respect to the upper cam portion. The step 63 may be horizontal, but preferably is inclined slightly downwardly from its leading to its trailing .end, or from right to left as viewed in FIGURE 8.

A tension spring 66 (FIGURE 11,) extends from the slide 47 of the auxiliary stitch cam assembly to a fixed part of the machine, urging the slide and its cams rearwardly and away from the needle cylinder at all times. Adjacent the cam assembly 44, a bell crank 67 is pivotally mounted at 68 on the upper bed plate 2, the bellcrank having a short arm terminating in a rounded end- 69 disposed adjacent the tail 50 of the slide block 49, whereby the bell crankarm may move the slide 47 and the cams carried thereby forwardly toward the cylinder 4, extending spring 66. The other end of the bell crank 67 is engaged by a rod' 70 (FIGURE 12) to the main drum actuated bell crank lever 71 illustrated in FIGURE 24. The lever 71 comprises also the cam following end 72, and is pivoted at 73.

The sinker cap 5 is modified at the auxiliary knitting station as illustrated in FIGURES 12, 13 and 14. Initially, an opening 75 is cut through the. top of the sinker cap at the appropriate location, and arecess 76 is milled out of the underside thereof. As best shown in FIGURE 14, an outside sinker cam 77 is suitably mounted in the recess 76. .A pullout bracket 78 is pivotally mounted on the sinker cap, as by means of pin 79, the bracket carrying on its inner end an auxiliary sinker cam 80. A spring 81 extending from the bracket arm 82 to the sinker cap tends to maintain the auxiliary sinker cam in raised or withdrawn position. wardly extending bracket 83 is fixedly mounted on the sinker cap below the pullout bracket 78 (FIGURE 12), and a rocker arm 84 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 83. The auxiliary stitch cam assembly slide 47 carries an upstanding lug 85 adapted to bear on one end of the rocker arm 84, as shown in FIGURE 12, and the opposite end of the rocker arm is adapted to engage arm 82 of the pullout bracket 78, wherebyinward movement of the auxiliary stitch cam assembly against the cylinder I effects corresponding movement of the auxiliary sinker cam to operative position. Spring 81 serves to maintain the rocker arm 84 in engagement with the pullout bracket arm 82 and the slide lug at all times, and to return the sinker cam 80 to inoperativewithdrawn position when the auxiliary stitch cam assembly is withdrawn. As will be evident, actuation of the auxiliary stitch cam assembly effects coordinated actuation of the auxiliary sinker cam 80.

The dial cap of the machine is modified as illustrated in FIGURES l5 and 16. The original clamp 91 and shear 92, and their operating rod 93, are unchanged, I

A downwardly and outa rod 98 extending to one end of a bell crank 99 (FIG- URE 18) which is pivotally mounted at 100.

The opposite end of the bell crank 99 is engaged by a thrust rod 101. Adjacent its end engaged to rod 98, see FIGURES 17 and 18, the bell crank 99 is guided by guide 102, and carries a pivotally engaged latch 104 which extends upwardly and is biased by spring 105 toward the bearing bracket 106 of the machine. The latch 104 is provided with a step 107 adjoined by a cam surface 108, the latter being disposed for engagement by a trip cam '10!) fixed on the horizontal dial drive shaft 110 of the machine. The dial cap is also provided with an upstanding bracket 111, by which it is mounted on the latch ring 6 of the machine.

The modification of the latch ring 6 is illustrated in FIGURES 19, and 21. At the auxiliary station A, a yoke 115 is added to the latch ring, enclosing a longitudinal slot 116 which is extended through the latch ring and its liner 117. The edges of the liner adjoining the slot 116 are formed into inclined guides or cam surfaces 118, adapted to deflect any needle latches which might otherwise enter the slot and be damaged. Two auxiliary yarn fingers 120 are mounted in the yoke slot 116. Preferably, each auxiliary yarn finger is pivotally mounted on a pin 121, which is eccentrically mounted on and extends inwardly from a pin 122 of larger diameter, the latter pin being journaled in the yoke and secured against rotation as by .a set screw 123. As will be evident, each pin 122 may be released by backing off its associated set screw 123, and rotated to adjust the pivot point of the associated yarn finger in radial direction with respect to the needle cylinder.

A bracket 125 is mounted on the left hand pivotal lug 126 of the latch ring (FIGURE 19), and a post 127 extending outwardly therefrom pivotally mounts the individual yarn finger controls 128. The outer end of each yarn finger control is linked by a link 130 to one of the auxiliary yarn finger-s 120, the link engaging approximately the center of the latter, and midway of its length each finger control 128 is provided with a laterally extending element 131 cooperative with a thrust bar 132. A downwardly extending spring 134 maintains each control in lowered position, except when elevated by the associated thrust bar. Obviously, more than two auxiliary yarn fingers may be provided if desired.

The arrangement of the needles in the cylinder of the machine, according to the lengths of their butts, is illustrated in FIGURE 22,'wherein the arrow 140 indicates the direction of cylinder rotation in round and round knitting. The needles include the short butt group H, utilized in heel knitting, which by way of example may comprise 156 needles having .240 inch butts. The short butt needle group H is adjoined on either side by needle groups 141 and 142, each of these groups comprising 20 .300 inch butt needles. The long butt needles T utilized for toe knitting include group 143, comprising 9 .338 inch butt needles, group 144 comprising 45 .390 inch butt needles, group 145 comprising 97 .338 butt needles, group 146'comprising 44 .390 inch butt needles and group 147 comprising 9 .338 inch butt needles. The needle arrangement thusfar described is entirely conventional. In accordance with the present invention, however, a number of the leading short butt needlesare replaced by needles having butts of length intermediate that of the other short butt needles and the adjoining .300 butt needles. By way of example, and as illustrated in FIGURE 22, the leading short butt needles 148, 17 in number. may have .270 inch butts. These needles are employed in closing eyelets on withdrawal of an auxiliary yarn at the auxiliary st ation, as will hereinafter appear. Near the trailing end of the short butt group, several needles 149 are alsoprovided with butts of intermediate length, .such as .270. The

- multi filament nylon welt yarn and a 50 denier multineedles 149, which may be six in number, are preferably alternated with other short butt needles as shown, and

.240 butt needles 150, which may be six in number. The needle-s 149 are utilized in eyelet closing on insertion of an auxiliary yarn at the auxiliary station, as will be described in detail hereinafter. each auxiliary yarn finger is adjusted inwardly to approach very closely, when introduced, cleared needles passing thereby, so that the exemplary cleared needle 151 brushes closely by the yarn finger.

Referring to FIGURE 24, the high speed gear 155 of the machine is provided with a suitably positioned stepped cam 156, which replaces the standard cam normally provided to take the machine out of the heel and toe. The stepped cam 156 is adapted to engage the cam follower 157 of the auxiliary clutch pawl 158. The belt shipper drum 160 is provided with a suitably positioned notch 161, and the main pattern drum 162 of the machine is provided with similarly stepped cams 163 and 164, which are utilized for stepwise insertion and withdrawal of the welt 172, leg 173, heel 174, foot 175 and toe 176. The

body of the stocking, including the leg 173 and foot 175, are knitted in the distinctive mesh pattern illustrated in FIGURE 28, wherein alternate courses 177 include spaced held loops 178 at regular intervals, and intervening courses 179 are composed of plain knit stitches except where the held loops are cast off to form tucks. The body mes-h pattern is illustrated also in FIGURE 29, the darkened squares 178 representing held loops. It will be noted that the held loops in successive courses 177 are offset according to an irregular pattern, whereby the formation of perceptible pattern lines in the stocking fabric is avoided.

For knitting the mesh pattern of FIGURES 28 and 29, the selector drum pattern jacks may be in accordance with FIGURE 30, the darkened squares 182 therein representing butts removed. The corresponding cylinder jack butt arrangement is indicated in FIGURE 31, wherein the darkened squares 184 represent nibs or butts remaining on the cylinder jacks. The pattern of rows I through P in FIGURE 31 extends preferably through 160 needle jacks, the illustrated pattern of rows R through Y extending through the remaining 240 needle jacks.

Operation The operation of the machine and the novel knitting methods involved will be described in connection with knitting of the exemplary stocking of FIGURE 27. In this particular example, only a single auxiliary yarn finger 120 is utilized at the auxiliary knitting station. The knitting cycle begins in conventional manner with bare needles, knitting being initiated at the main station only. For make-up, the first four courses of knitting, two yarns may be employed, for example: a 50 denier filament nylon heel and toe yarn. After completion of the make-up, the heel and toe yarn is withdrawn by a drum movement, and plain knitting proceeds with the welt yarn. The same drum movement which withdraws the heel and toe yarn' is utilized to move the clear cam 27 of the cam assembly 10 into operative position against the cylinder. This is accomplished in conventional manner by displacing rod 35 and the associated bell crank 33, see FIGURES 2 and 5, whereby the bell. crank acting in conjunction with post 29 permits displacement of slide bar-ZG-under the influence of its spring 30, thereby moving the clear cam 27 in against the needle butts.

Plain knitting of the welt at the main station M then continues.

Throughout the make-up and welt knitting, the auxiliary stitch carn assembly 44 and the auxiliary sinker cam 80 are in' inactive or withdrawn position. The patterning mechanism, employing two selector groups with a com- As shown in FIGURE 23,

.yarn finger 120 to operative position.

men control, is also held out of action by a cam on the action by its operating thrust bar 132, and the auxiliary yarn is clamped on the dial by clamp 96.

The machine knits the well-known inturned welt.171, and at the completion thereof transfer is performed in customary manner. After the welt transfer, knitting of the shadow welt 172 continues at the main station only, with the welt yarn. At this point, the patterning mechanism is brought into action, the selectors being released by the final drum rack in transfer, and the selector drum idler plate isretracted by the same drum movement, whereby racking of the selector drum 8 commences. Also during transfer, the jack pressure cam utilized in make-up is brought into action to activate the pattern jacks, whereby they may be raised by the pattern jack cam 200. (FIGURE 4) in the usual manner. The pattern mechanism is set up to rack twice during each cylinder revolution, and as illustrated in FIGURES 29 to 31 the pattern layout is such that every eighth stitch in a course is a tuck stitch. That is, the pattern jack cam 200 and the pattern jacks are effective to raise and clear 7 out of 8 needles, leaving the eighth needle at tuck level. All courses of the shadow welt 172 are tuck courses. The tuck stitches in successive courses, however, are offset according to the irregular or random pattern indicated in FIGURES 29 and 30, so that the shadow welt displays an attractive mesh pattern in which no perceptible pattern lines or stripes appear. The foregoing matters are shown and described in A. E. Page Patent 1,969,853.

The final drum rack in transfer is also utilized to displace the bell crank 33, extending spring 30 and retracting clear cam 27 to. inoperative position. Single feed knitting at the main knitting station continues through the shadow welt, the resulting fabric having the distinctive mesh pattern described above.

At the end of the shadow welt, a further rack of the main pattern drum is effective through a thrust rod to displace a yarn finger at the main knitting station, and introduce a body yarn which may be, for example, a 15 denier'mono-filament nylon yarn. The same drum rack is effective to withdraw the welt yarn at the main station. This drum rack is utilized also to displace thrust bar 132 (FIGURE 19), and permit its spring 134 to move the associated yarn finger control 128 downwardly, which motion causes link 130 to displace the auxiliary The yarn finger 120 introduces an auxiliary body yarn at the auxiliary station A, also preferably a 15 denier mono-filament nylon yarn. In the knitting of a stretch stocking, the body yarns introduced at the main and auxiliary stations may of course be oppositely twisted. For knitting of non-stretch stockings, untwisted yarns will be used.

The main drum rack which effects the foregoing yarn changes at the end of the shadow welt is utilized also to introduce the auxiliary stitch cam assembly 44 and the auxiliary sinker cam 80 in unique stepwise fashion, to initiate knitting at the auxiliary station A. This action may best be understood in connection with FIGURE 24, with particular reference to the stepped drum cam 163 illustrated therein. The'rack referred to moves the cam 163 under the end 72 of hell crank 71, displacing the bell crank lever and permitting its end 72 to dwell momentarily on the leading cam step v163'. This initial movement of the'bell crank lever 71 is transmitted by rod 70 to the bell crank 67 (FIGURES 11 and 12), and the resultant movement of the bell crank 67 displaces the auxiliary stitch cam assembly 44 inwardly to an intermediate position, whereat its cams are brought into substantial contact with the short butt needle group H (FIG URE 22). In this intermediate position, the auxiliary needle cams just miss the .240 butts of these needles.

As evident l1! FIGURE 12, the initial movement of the auxiliary stitch cam assembly is effective through its lug 85 and the rocker arm 84 to pivot the bracket 78, and

thereby move the auxiliary sinker cam to a corresponding intermediate position, at which it is operative with respect to the long butt sinkers. As will be understood, this movcment of the auxiliary sinker cam occurs during passage of the short butt sinkers which are associated with the 0.240 butt nccdlcs located between the group 148 and the first 0.270 butt needle 149.

The stepwise insertion of the auxiliary stitch cam assembly and the auxiliary sinker cam is utilized, in conjunction with related features about to be described, to close the eyelet which would ordinarily result on introduction of the auxiliary body yarn into the fabric. In the present invention, the eyelet is closed by knitting in the leading yarn end as at D in FIGURE 33, whereupon it extends across and effectively closes the eyelet. This is accomplished by the action of the special .270 butt needles 149 disposed near the training end of the short butt needle group H, together with the cams of the auxiliary stitch cam assembly, particularly the stepped auxiliary stitch cam 56 thereof. The auxiliary stitch cant assembly at intermediate position, against the short butt needles is adapted to engage and actuate the .300 butts of the needle group 142, whereby knitting at the auxiliary station A will be initiated by the leading .300 butt needle 142. The special needles 149, however, lead the needle group 142, and their .270 butts are adapted to engage the auxiliary needle cams.

Referring to FIGURE 25, the .270 butts of the special needles 149 encounter the auxiliary clear cam 52, in intermediate position, and are elevated thereby to clear their latches and take the auxiliary yarn, which is suitably disposed for such purpose by the above described movement of the yarn finger 120. The intervening short butt (.240) needles pass across the clear cam at tuck level, and accordingly do not take the yarn. The special short butt needles 149 are then drawn down by the auxiliary stitch cam 56 to tuck level, coincident with the cam step 63 thereof, at which level they pass across the recessed lower portion 64 of the cam, immediately below the step 63. The recessed lower portion 64 of the cam is offset rearwardly, it will be apparent, so that it does not draw the .270 butts of the special needles 149 down to stitch level. In this manner, the special short butt needles 149 are separated from the other short butt needles solely by the action of the auxiliary needle cams, are raised to clear their latches and take the yarn in advance of the needle group 142, and are then lowered to tuck level but not to stitch level. The special short butt needles 149, having taken the yarn end, will knit at the main knitting station, whereby the yarn end is efiectively knitted into the fabric to close the eyelet which would otherwise be formed. As in the case of the .240 butt needles preceding and between the special needles 149, the trailing .240 short butt needles 150 pass the auxiliary knitting cams at tuck level,

without engagement.

As previously indicated, it is preferred to alternate the special short butt needles 149 with other .240 short butt needles, whereby only alternate needles take the yarn end in advance of knitting. In such case, when the special short butt needles 149 are drawn down to tuck level by the leading edge of the upper portion 65 of the auxiliary stitch cam 56, the yarn will pass to the rear of the intervening .240 short butt needles and become interlaced, whereby it is positively engaged and prevented from pulling out. This desirable interlacing of the yarn may be enhanced by slight inward misalignment ,or deflection of the hooks of the special needles 149, as indicated in exaggerated form in the right hand extension of FIGURE 22. Such misalignment of the special needles insures that the yarn will pass to the rear of each intervening .240 short butt needle, whereby the auxiliary yarn end may be perfectly interlaced as also illustrated in the right hand extension of FIGURE 22.

It is further preferred, as previously described, to provide a group of .240 short butt needles, such as the needle 

4. IN A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE, A ROTARY CYLINDER WITH THE INDEPENDENT NEEDLES, A RETRACTIBLE AUXILIARY CAM ASSEMBLY FOR ACTUATING SAID NEEDLES, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CAM ASSEMBLY AS A UNIT RADIALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID CYLINDER, SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A STITCH CAM, A LANDING CAM BELOW SAID STITCH CAM, A CENTER CAM LEADING SAID STITCH CAM AND A CLEAR CAM LEADING SAID CENTER CAM, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID STITCH AND LANDING CAMS VERTICALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID AUXILIARY CAM ASSEMBLY. 